How I Quit: Laura P.

Age: 66, from Jefferson Parish

After smoking for 51 years and being lucky enough to have had no ill affects whatsoever, I realized 2 things; that the older I got I might not be so lucky and that after waiting many, many years for the “right time” I realized that there would never be a “right time” and I just had to try. It’s been really, really hard and I think I will have to monitor myself for the rest of my life, but I have been smoke-free since 8/15/2013 and I haven’t relapsed even once…I know how dangerous it would be to “just have one.” My older sister has to use oxygen and is in a nursing home and I did not want to end up like that. I have a strong mental addiction along with the physical one, but I am doing it one day at a time. When I get an urge, I walk as much as I can ( I am disabled), I play with my dogs, I clean, I talk to myself (pep talks) in the mirror, I do relaxation breathing and I have read 9 novels. I may have to be 81 before I lose a lot of the dangers to my heart etc but at least I may now live to 81!

Dennis B.
My blood pressure is normal, cholesterol is normal, and life feels good again and I look younger. Thank you for my life back!
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Laura P.
When I get an urge, I walk, I play with my dogs, I clean, I give myself pep talks, I do relaxation breathing and I read.
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Brittany R.
If someone asked me what motivated me to quit, I would simply say my family.
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Sandi P.
I used the website, www.QuitWithUsLa.org, to assist me with quitting smoking last March.
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Billy M.
I knew all along that smoking wasn’t good for me, but you have to WANT to quit.
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Courtney T.
It has been over a year since I have been smoke-free, and I know I will never smoke again. Fasting was what worked for me, but the QuitWithUsLA.com program will work for anyone.
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Quitting is a process.

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Everyone's quit story is different. What works for one, might not always work for another. So we want you to share your success story (and your struggles) with us, so that you can help motivate and encourage others to quit.